Cube of difference
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Definition.
The сube of difference of two expressions is equal to the сube of the first, minus three times the product of the square of the first and the second, plus three times the product of the first and the square of second, minus the сube of the second:
(a - b)3 = a3 - 3a2b + 3ab2 - b3
Derivation of the formula of cube of difference
The proof of the formula is very simple. To prove the formula is sufficient to multiply the expression:
(a - b)3 = (a - b)·(a - b)2 =
= (a - b)·(a2 - 2ab + b2) =
= a3 - 2a2b + ab2 - ba2 + 2b2a - b3 =
= a3 - 3a2b + 3ab2 - b3
= (a - b)·(a2 - 2ab + b2) =
= a3 - 2a2b + ab2 - ba2 + 2b2a - b3 =
= a3 - 3a2b + 3ab2 - b3
Applying of cube of difference formula
Cube of difference formula convenient to use:
- to disclose the brackets
- to simplify expressions
Examples of task
Example 1.
Expand brackets (x - 3)3.
Solution: Apply the cube of difference formula.
(x - 3)3 = x3 - 3·3·x2 + 3·32·x - 33 =
= x3 - 9x2 + 27x - 27
= x3 - 9x2 + 27x - 27
Example 2.
Expand brackets (2x - 3y2)3.
Solution: Apply the cube of difference formula.
(2x - 3y2)3 =
= (2x)3 - 3·(2x)2·(3y2) + 3·(2x)·(3y2)2 - (3y2)3 =
= 8x3 - 36x2y2 + 54xy4 - 27y6
= (2x)3 - 3·(2x)2·(3y2) + 3·(2x)·(3y2)2 - (3y2)3 =
= 8x3 - 36x2y2 + 54xy4 - 27y6
Example 3.
Simplify the expression Solution: Apply the cube of difference formula in numerator and square of the difference formula in denominator.
Factoring: Some special cases
Square of the sum
Square of the difference
Difference of squares
Cube of sum
Cube of difference
Sum of cubes
Difference of cubes
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